In the Chinese language, the word “crisis” is composed of two characters, one representing danger and the other, opportunity. John F. Kennedy Seems like most everything is cancelled as we semi self-quarantine as a nation in response to the Coronavirus. Who knew what “social distancing” was a month ago? Did the concept even exist a […]
Year: 2020
Going Viral: How to Stay Calm Amidst the Pandemic Storm
“If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs . . .” If, by Rudyard Kipling Here’s some “Breaking News,” as the media likes to say. There’s this coronavirus (aka COVID-19) going around and, unlike most “Breaking News,” it’s important and it’s impacting lives. The good news is that the overwhelming […]
Creating a Culture of Candor in the Workplace
“Jack was always direct, but his frankness was appealing and effective.” Jeffrey Immelt, successor to Jack Welch as General Electric CEO Former General Electric (GE) CEO Jack Welch died earlier this week. While this news perhaps evokes a “Who was he?” response from Millennials and Gen Z’ers, Baby Boomers know Welch as the brash “celebrity” […]
The Art of the Apology
“Never ruin an apology with an excuse.” Benjamin Franklin So the Astros got busted for cheating (please see our last blog). Now comes the apology part, right? After hiring a PR firm to presumably help craft the message, club owner Jim Crane held a press conference to – one would have hoped – apologize and […]
Differentiate Through Character
“If you know how to cheat, start now.” Baltimore manager Earl Weaver, to pitcher Ross Grimsley on the mound While Weaver’s remark was meant as a joke, Major League Baseball’s current cheating scandal is not so funny – it’s the sport’s biggest scandal since the steroid era. Turns out the Houston Astros have been cheating […]
Lost in Space: Do This Before Making Demands at Work
Ground Control to Major Tom Take your protein pills and put your helmet on Ground Control to Major Tom (ten, nine, eight, seven, six) Commencing countdown, engines on (five, four, three) Check ignition and may God’s love be with you (two, one, liftoff) David Bowie, Space Oddity Now comes Richard Branson who, through his company […]
Who’s Best for Your Next Meeting: Bob and Nick, or Prince Harry?
Queen Elizabeth: My husband is required to speak publicly. Lionel Logue: Perhaps he should change jobs. Queen Elizabeth: He can’t. Lionel Logue: Indentured servitude? Queen Elizabeth: Something of that nature, yes.” From the film, “The King’s Speech” Well, not a speech from the king exactly, but a speech from the 6th in line to be […]
Quit Dreaming and Start Doing
“The journey of 1,000 miles starts with a single step.” Chinese Proverb When asked if he could give his kids any advice, actor Robert De Niro responded: “I’d just want them to be happy. To do what they really want to do and to follow through on the things they think they want to do, […]
Moving Toward a Kinder Capitalism
“Capitalism is not a perfect system. It may be better than all other systems, but it is not a perfect system.” Warren Buffet Lots of people seemingly agree, at least with the not perfect part. According to an article by Julia LaRoche on Yahoo Finance, the just-released Edelman Trust Barometer suggests people are increasingly worried […]
Earn the Respect of Your Manager and Colleagues
“I don’t want to have my head in a basket!” King Edward I “Longshanks,” upon receiving the Governor of York’s head in a basket compliments of William Wallace Nor—we may assume—would he want to have to escape in a crate. Specifically, a large black case typically used for concert equipment with air holes punched in […]